A drug smuggler who admitted to importing more than $150,000 worth of cocaine was yesterday sent to jail for eight years.

Saki Tuzo, of Boundary Lane, Devonshire, pleaded guilty at an earlier Supreme Court hearing to importing 587.83 grams of the controlled drug cocaine from New York on November 22, 2005.

The 22-year old flew into the Island on a commercial flight from New York, cleared immigration, collected his luggage and stood in the line at HM Customs.

The Customs officers questioned him about his bags and opened his blue bag. A strong smell of glue came from two pairs of shoes with 'Vibram' soles.

Asked about the smell, Tuzo couldn't explain it and said he bought the shoes like that from Payless but didn't have the receipts.

The officer searched the shoes the defendant had on and in the soles found white powder.

Tuzo said: "What's that? What's that?"

The shoes in his travel bag also had white powder in soles. The Government analyst revealed there was 587.83 grams of cocaine with purities between 53 and 83 percent. The cocaine had a street value of $169,875.

In a Police interview, the defendant maintained he bought the shoes from Payless store in a mall in Brooklyn. However, Payless does not sell shoes with 'Vibram' soles.

During sentencing yesterday, crown counsel Robert Welling argued the defendant should expect an immediate custodial sentence of ten to 12 years.

Tuzo's lawyer, Charles Richardson argued a sentence of eight years in appropriate if his client's age, lack of previous convictions and guilty plea were taken into consideration.

Asked if he had anything to say, Tuzo said: "I'd like to say I'm very sorry. I am remorseful. I know what I done was wrong. I not only embarrassed myself, but also my family."

He also said he plans to complete his high school education and enter a drug programme in order to better himself.

Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons said she would take into consideration Tuzo's youth, previous good record and guilty plea when sentencing him.

In addition to the eight years, Tuzo must enroll in an educational programme, a substance abuse programme and any vocational programme.

Time spent on remand will be taken into consideration.